keeping. Elmore Herman of Millie Bee believes as many as three new associations could form due to this activity.
I spoke at the Marion County Club, one of the more recent formed by Chappie McChesney. Chappie gave a presentation at the re- cently concluded convention of the American Beekeeping Federa- tion on this topic. He has been instrumental in forming the Dixie, Levy, Lake, Alachua, Gilchrist and Columbia clubs as well.
I have been approached by Gloria Balboa who is interested in forming an association in Miami-Dade County: e-mail:
Gbalboa@live.com, tel. 305-626-2668.
The Honey Bee Technical Council
The Honey Bee Technical Council is established by legislative fiat
http://www.flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2011/586.161. This body has been around a good while. In short, it is the major advisory group that the Commissioner of Agriculture looks to for guidance with reference to beekeeping affairs in Florida. It consists of sev- en members appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture of which there shall be five representatives of the honeybee industry, one representative of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Scienc- es, and one representative of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services who shall serve as secretary of the council.
Traditionally, the chief apiarist is deeply involved in the Council, which meets irregularly at the Division of Plant Industry building in Gainesville. This year, it will be more relevant given that a new chief will be selected and no doubt the Council will play a signifi- cant role in this process. Should the beekeeper protection legisla- tion pass, giving a potentially much greater role to Florida’s head beekeeping regulator, the person heading up the regulatory bureau- cracy will no doubt be faced with many new challenges. Anyone is eligible to join the Council by application to the Commissioner. Forms can be found on the Association’s front page, or requested from the Commissioner’s Office. It is important to keep in mind that the Council only provides recommendations about beekeeping in Florida and cannot set policy. The Commissioner is an elected position in Florida and not a governor appointee.
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